Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel has declared a county state of emergency due to the major sewer break in Fraser.
“This has been a major sewer situation and disruption of services,” said Executive Hackel. “Our Emergency Management team continues to receive requests for assistance from local residents and businesses who are in the affected area.”
Macomb County Emergency Management Director Vicki Wolber reports following a review of the sewer emergency, residents impacted and future risk, it has been determined that local and county resources continue to be utilized and needed. The impacted sewer services a large portion of Macomb County and includes approximately 150,000 homes and 500,000 residents.
“Each one of us can contribute to water conservation efforts that will, in turn, reduce the wastewater flowing into the damaged sewer,” said Executive Hackel.
Communities affected include the cities of Fraser, Sterling Heights, Utica and New Haven and Chesterfield, Shelby, Clinton, Harrison, Lenox, Washington, and Macomb townships, plus Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
The Macomb County Department of Public Works has established a phone line dedicated to answering any questions about the conservation initiative: (586) 493-6744.
Residents are being asked to continue their conservation efforts.
SEMCOG shares that, on average, people use 77 gallons of water a day per person.
Water conservation tips for residents
In every room that contains plumbing:
- repair leaky faucets, indoors and out.
- when cooking, peel and clean vegetables in a large bowl of water instead of under running water.
- fill the sink or basin when washing and rinsing dishes.
- only run the dishwasher when it's full.
- when buying a dishwasher, select one with a light-wash option.
- only use the garbage disposal when necessary (composting is a great alternative).
- install faucet aerators.
In the bathroom:
- take short showers instead of baths.
- turn off the water to brush teeth, shave and soap up in the shower.
- fill the sink to shave.
- repair leaky toilets. Add 12 drops of food coloring into the tank, and if color appears in the bowl one hour later, the toilet is leaking.
- install a toilet dam, faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads.
Laundry:
- run full loads of laundry.
- when purchasing a new washing machine, buy a water-saving model that can be adjusted to the load size.